Earthsaver of the Month
“As a teen,” Jeremy Taitano says, “I spent a lot of time flailing, unsure of who I was as a person, unsure of what my values were, and unsure of what to do with my emotional energy… Then, the SCA caught ahold of me.” Now, five years and eight SCA crews later, Jeremy serves as a volunteer leader at service events to help bring the SCA experience to the next generation of DC teens.
Why do you serve the planet?
I serve the planet because I believe in the ability of outdoor spaces to inspire, to empower, and to bring us together as a people. All people.
What’s your favorite green space?
Urban parks are my favorite. I’m a huge fan of the Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens in Washington, DC. It’s such a beautiful place, and the fact that it’s right there in the city makes me so happy. Because of their accessibility, urban parks can spark passion for the outdoors and conservation in people who would otherwise be estranged from wilderness.
Tell us about one of your favorite service experiences.
All of SCA’s service days are awesome, but I got my mom and dad to come out and participate in the last Earth Day service event that we had in D.C. My family is a primary source of inspiration for me, so having them there to see the work that we do was a huge deal.
What’s your next earthsaving goal?
With sea levels rising, there are many coastal communities who are working hard to maintain their land, and to preserve their cultures despite loss of terrain. I have been working with some of these communities in trying to increase support for, and education about their cause.